Napier wins AAC player of the year (video)

Senior Shabazz Napier became the first UConn basketball player in five years to win a conference player of the year award on Wednesday.

Napier received the American Athletic Conference's top player honor during an awards luncheon at the Gibson Guitar Factory in Memphis. Hasheem Thabeet is the last Husky to claim the prize, sharing the Big East award with Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair in 2009.

He learned that he won on Sunday.

"I was just surprised," Napier said. "Coach (Kevin) Ollie called me and I was just waking up."

During his acceptance speech, Napier paid a heart-felt tribute to his mother, Carmen Velasquez, who was in the audience.

"I want to thank my mother for all the sacrifices she made to better my life," Napier said. "As a single mother with three children growing up in the inner city, she had all the excuses and reasons to give up, but never did."

Napier also thanked a long list of people, including the AAC coaches, his teammates, his coaching staff, team trainer James Doran, strength and conditioning coach Travis Illian and the team managers.

"I know this is an individual award, but my teammates would be the first to tell you that I have no interest in individual accolades," Napier said, "because I know nothing is done without them. … I'd rather our team be No. 1 than myself."

Napier beat out Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick and Louisville's Russ Smith in a tight player of the year race.